The countdown has begun for the 2025 Nordic Ski World Championships, set to commence on February 26 in Trondheim, Norway, and run until March 9. The event is expected to attract thousands of spectators and participants eager to witness the top athletes compete across various disciplines, including cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and Nordic combined.
This year marks the second time Trondheim has hosted the world championships, the first being back in 1997. Over the course of the event, athletes will compete for medals across 27 competitions, with 81 medals available. For the first time, the championships will also feature Para ski competitions, reflecting the participation and recognition of athletes with disabilities.
Johannes Høsflot Klaebo from Norway is one of the standout competitors, having solidified his status as the top contender for the men's events. Klaebo, 28, is coming off strong performances and seems poised to add to his impressive medal haul. He will be joined by fellow Norwegians Simen Hegstad Krüger and Pål Golberg, who are also expected to make significant impacts during the championships.
On the women’s side, the competition will be fierce with Therese Johaug representing Norway, who is among the best in the world and is anticipated to be one of the favorites to claim gold. North America's Jessie Diggins, leading the overall World Cup standings, is also set to steal the spotlight. The Swedish team, led by Ebba Andersson and Frida Karlsson, brings formidable strength to the long-distance events and will look to challenge Klaebo's home advantage.
The Championships kick off on Wednesday, February 26, at 8 PM local time with the opening ceremony. The following day, the first competitive events will take place, with cross-country skiing sprints determining which athletes will advance to finals.
The detailed event schedule is as follows:
- February 27, 2025: 12:30 PM - Men’s and Women’s Sprint Finals (Freestyle); 3:00 PM - Women’s Nordic Combination (Mass Start/Normalschanze).
- February 28, 2025: 12:00 PM - Mixed Team Nordic Combination (Normalschanze); 2:00 PM—Women’s Ski Jumping Individual (Normalschanze).
- March 1, 2025: 12:00 PM - Men’s Nordic Combination (Compact/Normalschanze); 2:00 PM - 20 km Skiathlon (10 km classic + 10 km freestyle).
- March 2, 2025: 12:00 PM - Women’s 20 km Skiathlon (10 km classic + 10 km freestyle).
Monday, March 3 will be a rest day, after which competition resumes on Tuesday, featuring men’s and women’s classic 10 km races.
Media coverage for the event is extensive. All competitions will be aired live on major broadcasters such as ARD, ZDF, and Eurosport. Each outlet has committed to providing comprehensive coverage, including live streams on their respective platforms.
The German team is entering the championships with optimism. Athletes like Victoria Carl and Laura Gimmler are seen as strong medal candidates after their recent performances. Carl finished third at the recent general trials, setting her up as one to watch. Other notable German competitors include Friedrich Moch, who is expected to contend for podium finishes. The women’s team features promising athletes such as Pia Fink and Katharina Hennig, who have shown consistent performance leading up to the World Championships.
Expectations are high not only for the German athletes but also for the event's organization, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic limited spectator attendance at previous championships. With nearly 200,000 tickets sold, fans can look forward to vibrant crowds supporting their athletes live at the event.
Further developments and updates as the championship progresses will be available through various media channels. The excitement builds as the world watches these elite athletes perform at the highest level, promising remarkable moments and perhaps, record-breaking feats.